Thursday, November 12, 1998 Published at 06:09 GMTWorld: AmericasDisputes overshadow climate talksEnvironmentalists satirise the US cash for emissions planClimate talks involving 180 countries appear deadlocked as the summit enters its final two days.

The Buenos Aires conference began with hopes that ground rules would emerge on how to limit carbon dioxide pollution, which is blamed for global warming.

The main dispute is between the United States and Europe over emissions trading - the right of countries which fulfil pollution cutting commitments to sell their excess allowances to nations struggling to meet their objectives.

European countries favour a tax to make it harder for rich countries to buy permits abroad to avoid making cuts at home. The US argues emissions trading should operate under free market principles.